By Jillian Manning Hold my beer (and my wine) because autumn is cider time. Truly, could there be a better place to enjoy cider than the apple Mecca of northern Michigan? You probably know one of the farmers whose apples made it into your glass. You get all the inside jokes that cider makers include when naming their latest product. And best of all, you don’t have to go far to find an incredible cidery — or retailer that carries its bounty. We spoke to seven Michigan cidermakers from across the region to get their take on the perfect beverage to pair with Thanksgiving dinner. From seasonal offerings to fan favorites, this list has everything you need to fill the holiday-beverage cooler … or your own fridge.
Bee Well Mead & Cider Bellaire Featured Cider: The Conservancy Cider, a bottle-conditioned heritage cider from 2018 providing a bright, tannic structure and a crisp mouthfeel. Fermented cold and slow during the Polar Vortex of 2018–2019, the Conservancy Cider is a celebration of the fall harvest and all the labor, love, and energy that went into caring for these apples. Pairs Well With: Roasted turkey or game hen, homemade stuffing and gravy, and, of course, pecan pie. Says Tony Colombo, head of sales for Bee Well, the Conservancy Cider refreshes the palate after every bite of that famous Thanksgiving meal. Where to Find It: The Conservancy can be found in 750 ml bottles at the Bee Well tasting room in Bellaire and the Grand Traverse Distillery tasting room in downtown Traverse City. Northern Natural Cider House and Winery Kaleva Featured Cider: The Northern Star, Northern Natural's flagship hard cider. Not only is every one of NN's hard ciders made with locally sourced organic apples from Manistee and Leelanau counties but the Northern Star in particular is made with an ale yeast, so it is sulfite and sugar-free, a rare set of libation bonuses that might well stave off a morning-after headache in those prone to hangovers from even a glass of alcohol. More reason to set your course for The Northern Star: It's won multiple gold medals at the World Cider Championship competitions. Pairs Well With: Cheeses, squash soup, and — how convenient — turkey. Where to Find It: At your local Meijer and year-round at the Kaleva tasting room (along with nine other hard ciders on tap).
14 • nov 16, 2020 • Northern Express Weekly
Resort Pike Cidery and Winery Petoskey Featured Cider: Apple-Cranberry Hard Cider, a semi-dry blend of crisp apples and tart cranberries with just the right touch of sugar. Expertly crafted by our cidermaker to be refreshing and delicious, said Dustin Stabile, Resort Pike's wine and cidermaker. Pairs Well With: Smoked Thanksgiving turkey or any apple or pumpkin pie. The fresh apple taste will dance on your palate when paired with a smokey turkey, and the tartness of the cranberries is a nice complement to the sweet cinnamon and sugars in either pie so well, it will leave you wanting another bite ... and sip ... and bite ... and sip ... Where to Find It: The Resort Pike tasting room, at the corner of Resort Pike and Williams Road in Petoskey.
St. Ambrose Cellars Beulah Featured Cider: XR Cyser, St. Ambrose's flagship cyser product, which is made with both honey and apple cider. Along with smooth star thistle honey, which bears distinct floral notes, and a crisp apple flavor, it incorporates both cinnamon and maple syrup to make it a kind of “apple pie in a bottle,” according to Aaron Dexter, St. Ambrose marketing director. Pairs Well With: Braised pork chops and XR Cyser are a great combination. One of their fans used XR to make glazed shallots as well. The cyser is popular year-round but the honey, apple, cinnamon, and maple syrup flavors are a big hit in the holiday season. Where to Find It: XR Cyser is available year-round from stores (see website for details) and St. Ambrose's tasting room in Beulah.
